enchanting, organic gardens...

Giving Tree Gardens is a full service organic gardening company located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Russ Henry, owner of Giving Tree Gardens, started out with a few tools and a dream of creating enchanting organic urban gardens. Today Giving Tree Gardens is proud to service residential and commercial clients throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Russ Henry of Giving Tree Gardens believes that the health and beauty of the organic gardens he creates for his clients can be seen reflected in the happiness and well being of the people who live and work near the spaces he gardens.

This sentiment is reflective of the vision Russ Henry laid out for Giving Tree Gardens when he established it in 2005. “I want to work closely with my clients to create gardens that care for their needs and desires as well as their health and well being.”

Giving Tree Gardens is an eco-friendly garden landscaping services company. Our gardens are designed with hardy perennials, trees, shrubs, and self-seeding annuals. We focus on using native plants to attract wild birds, butterflies, and animals. Water conservation is one of our main priorities in considering any landscape design. Our use of rainwater gardens helps us accomplish our goal of run-off free properties. Of course we never use harmful chemical fertilizers or pesticides, instead we focus on creating a healthy living soil in order to keep our gardens thriving and lush.

As Russ Henry likes to say, “Anything we do to take responsibility for the health of our little corner this planet is a gift we give for generations to come.”

satisfied customers

Feedback from both our clients and the community is important! Here are a few client testimonials. Jump to links in the press!

“Giving Tree Gardens installed a butterfly garden along my fence where it was difficult to mow. The new garden immediately began teeming with pollinators of all sorts including monarch butterflies. I absolutely love watching the butterflies and bumble bees dance around the garden while I sit on my back deck. The plants grew enough to fill in the garden in less than one season because of the amazing compost and soil management performed by Giving Tree. I highly recommend Giving Tree Gardens for people who want to grow a pollinator patch or a butterfly garden.” –Julie, Residential Client

When I inherited my mother's garden, I inherited Russ Henry too. What a lucky break for me! Russ understood exactly what needed to be done to maintain my mother's gorgeous garden. As I watched the garden through spring, into summer and then into fall, the garden changed and evolved. Thanks to Russ, there was always something new growing and blooming in different corners while the overall garden maintained a lush, almost bohemian feel. Russ was a patient, encouraging teacher whenever I elected to participate in caring for the garden. In fall, he gently put the garden to bed. This spring, I look forward to his return and with him will come a rewarding garden where it will be a constant pleasure to spend time. —Natalie Elertson, Minneapolis Residential Client

I was thrilled at the results I got from Russ at Giving Tree Gardens. He's creative, and an impeccably professional landscaper. He knows gardening, and has always got a good idea for what to do with my garden. And not only that, but he's a whiz at creating beautiful patio spaces--his work and creativity allowed my family to enjoy our garden even more. Everyone who is looking for someone to help them figure out how to beautify and optimize their outdoor space should talk to Russ. You'll love the result. I certainly did! —Kieth Stacy, Residential Client

In the spring of 2005 Seward Co-op hired Russ Henry and Giving Tree Gardens to revamp our landscaping. We wanted a blend of native and non native plants, culinary and medicinal herbs and most importantly we wanted maximum bloom time. The work done exceeded our expectations. The co-op went from lackluster landscaping to gorgeous gardens almost overnight. In both 2005 and 2006 Russ's work was recognized with City of Minneapolis Blooms Awards. In addition to his creative flare, Russ brings a willingness to work with a wide range of people to bring his work to fruition. He has worked with the Seward Peace Garden kids. He gave seasonal tours to co-op customers highlighting the blooms. He will be working with the co-op and our immediate neighbors as we plan the gardens at our new store at Riverside and Franklin. — Sean Doyle, Seward Cooperative Grocery and Deli General Manager

Russ, at Giving Tree Gardens, planted the Seward Co-Op urban gardens 2 years ago and has lovingly maintained them since. His stellar original design and hard work were rewarded with the "Minneapolis Blooms Awards" two years in a row. Russ is a true "people person." He takes the time to answer questions and chat with customers and the general public as he tends to the gardens and has put together several garden tours. He is a delight to work with. —Valerie Doying, Manager On Duty, Seward Co-Op Grocery and Deli